Library staff eyes technological upgrades

Wednesday

Jul 19, 2017 at 3:54 PMJul 19, 2017 at 3:54 PM

By Paul Gately

Recognizing the fast-changing scope of the digital era, Bourne Public Library trustees approved a key provision of the building’s five-year plan last year that directs strong support for technology and innovation.

That operational imperative is bearing fruit this year.

Brian Meneses, the library’s reference librarian and information technology director, continues to shape a building tech plan that focuses on programs and equipment needs as well individual help for patrons with electronic devices they don’t understand. That includes the increasingly popular Tech Buddies outreach program at Bourne Middle School.

And that’s just for starters. Young and tech-savvy, Meneses also works six hours a week on the circulation desk. But his general role is to handle technology issues as they arise, plan ahead on the high-tech front, and gauge the need for new equipment, what it will cost, and review how it will meet patron demands; should they evolve.

Meneses essentially and effectively is using technology to teach technology in the library, an old elementary school with limitations in an emerging digital library world.

The ever-evolving World Wide Web, with its constantly changing user expectations and navigation habits, forces library staff to keep pace. Much of that responsibility falls to Meneses.

Meneses advised trustees July 11 that mobile hotspots have been bought to help library staff with programs and patrons who lack internet access elsewhere. The system will be hooked up via Sprint. Hot spots will be available for patrons to borrow in the fall.

Another high priority involves a replacement projector for the community room, one that includes a high-tech port and possible audio/auxiliary port to use with the room’s sound system and that preferably has high-definition picture quality.

There is also a plan to provide five laptops for patrons’ use. Patrons would be able to heck out laptops for two hours at a time.

Big ticket items include a 3D printer with supplies and instruction for patrons of all ages, as well as a 3M self-checkout machine that provides patrons with more-detailed information beyond due dates. Meneses says such a printer is expensive, but it opens paths to a new world of technology.

An iMac digital media lab for young adults is also envisioned, including software.

Meneses also plans escape rooms for kids in Grade 5 and above, complete with puzzle-solving clues leading to a break-out.

“This is an attempt to get the teen population into the library,” he said. “That can be difficult.”

There are also plans to host online privacy/safety classes at the library, perhaps in August or September.

Meneses also plans to update the library website and streamline the library’s online resource page. One provision of the website would include a patron survey.

Also on the near horizon is a mobile lab with a laptop-charging station with at least 10 slots for usage. Meneses also plans to replace the library’s existing black and white printers with new ones that use more cost-effective ink.

Trustees, meanwhile, are keeping open options to engage local corporate support and advice for technology needs, direction, and trends. This would evolve in tandem with library director Patrick Marshall’s goal to pursue “practical purchases.”

“We’re not buying equipment that might not be used all that much by the public or is otherwise quickly obsolete,” he said.

Marshall accented the point that Meneses’ work, planning, and interaction with patrons in need of high-tech assistance is bolstered by library staffers, who are also engaged in technology to a point.